Los Angeles Area Lakes, March 8 Report

FishRap StaffMarch 8, 2018

CACHUMA: There was a 4,000-pound trout plant three weeks ago (Feb. 15), and another 4,000-pound plant is scheduled for this month. the bite has been pretty good since with fish to nine pounds reported. The best action had been on inflated nightcrawlers fished from shore or trolled CD-3 Rapalas. No crappie reports this week, but the bass bite has been improving on plastics fished in less than 20 feet of water. Carp bowfishing permits are available at the entrance gate. Private boats must be inspected for quagga mussels and face a 30-day dry dock requirement before being allowed to launch. For quagga mussel and the boat launching information, log on at http://www.sbparks.org/DOCS/Cachuma.html. The marina is open with rental boats available. The boat launch remains open, but boats must get a quagga mussel inspection. Information: 805-688-4040.

CASITAS: The bass bite has really been picking up with a lot of fish moving up shallow and showing in five to 20 feet of water on swimbaits, plastic worms, and nightcrawlers. Fish to 6-plus pounds reported again this past week. The dates for the upcoming events in the 2018 RTF Bass Tour at Casitas are March 17, April 7 and 28, and June 2. For information on these events, contact Rich Tauber at 818-439-1154 or richtauber@gmail.com. The next ABA bass events for 2018 at Casitas are April 14, May 5, June 16, and July 28. For more information, contact Jason Hemminger at 805-479-1058. For a fishing update, check with the marina or the Lake Casitas Boat Rentals Facebook page. Bowfishing is allowed here for carp and they continue to show on the surface most mornings. Carp bowfisherman may only shoot from a boat after 8 a.m., and lake staff must approve bows. Private boats must be inspected for quagga mussels and face a 35-day dry dock requirement before being allowed to launch. The Santa Ana boat launch is open. Information: 805-649-2043 or www.casitasboatrentals.com.

CASTAIC: The striper bite remains fair with a lot of fish showing on lugworms, spoons, or ice jigs in 40-feet plus of water between the SS Ski and Kong Island. There are some fish at the dam on and near the surface early in the morning, and they are being caught on Kastmasters. Also quite a few stripers showing for shore anglers fishing to the right on the main launch ramp. Dave Horste, Lancaster, had three stripers to three pounds fishing swimbaits off C Point. The largemouth and smallmouth bass bite may even be better than the striper action with the fish in 5 to 25 feet of water on nightcrawlers, small plastics, and Senkos, especially in the area around Sharon’s Rest, Hawk’s Nest, Firebreak, and Utopia coves. John Cohen, Los Angeles, had a four-pound largemouth on a nightcrawler, while Rick Nava, Van Nuys, landed a three-pounders on a jig. No reports of crappie this week, and the catfish and bluegill bites are slow. DFW trout plants last week and four weeks ago. A few trout are showing near the marina on yellow PowerBait. For information call the marina at 661-775-6232 (www.CastaicLake.com) or Tackle Express at 661-251-8700.

PIRU: Few reports. Slow to fair bite on largemouth and smallmouth bass. Most of the bass are in the 1 to 3 pound range and showing in deeper water on jigs and plastics. Bluegill, crappie, and catfish are slow with little pressure. The launch ramp is open. Rental boats are also available. Information: gatehouse at 805-521-1500 (or at www.camplakepiru.com) or call Tackle Express at 661-251-8700.

PYRAMID: The striper bite has been fair to good with most of the fish around two pounds. The best bite has been on lug worms, anchovies or sardines in 20 to 50 feet of water along the canal and rip rap. Also a few fish on reaction baits, but not as many as bait. Jose Morano, Pasadena, had three stripers to three pounds on sardines at the canal. There is also a pretty fair catfish bite on chicken liver or anchovies fishing in most coves. Forrest Csulak, Bakersfield, landed two catfish to four pounds on chicken liver in Glory Hole Cove. The largemouth and smallmouth action is also pretty fair on plastics and small jigs in just 5 to 25 feet of water. The trout bite has slowed with no plants in more than two weeks. Bluegill and redear are slow. There is a health warning about eating fish from Pyramid Lake (except the rainbow trout). More information at this link: http://www.oehha.ca.gov/fish/so_cal/pyramidlake2013.html. Information: Emigrant Landing entrance booth at 661-295-7155 or Tackle Express at 661-251-8700.

LOS ANGELES/ORANGE COUNTY PARK NEWS: For county trout plants, see the list in this report or go to the DFW website (https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FishPlants/) for any updates and future plants.